Why This Matters
-
97% OF COMPUTER PROGRAMMER JOBS REQUIRE A DEGREE
Although 88% of computer programmer jobs require a bachelor’s, there are some entry-level programming jobs available for those who have an associate degree.
-
11% JOB DECLINE EXPECTED FOR COMPUTER PROGRAMMING
Jobs for computer programmers are expected to decline by 11% between 2022 and 2032. With more competition for jobs in this field, it’s important to have the right education.
-
POTENTIAL TO EARN OVER $150,000 PER YEAR
The average pay for computer programmers is $97,800 per year, with the top 10% of workers in this field earning more than $157,690.
Our Research
This list features some of the best online associate in computer programming degree programs at top colleges nationwide. Each school featured is a nonprofit, accredited institution — either public or private — with a high standard of academic quality for post-secondary education.
We evaluated each school’s program on admission, retention, and graduation rates as well as tuition costs, faculty, reputation, and the resources provided for online students. Then, we calculated the Intelligent Score on a scale of 0 to 100. Read more about our ranking methodology.
Next, we compared this comprehensive list of online associate in computer programming degree programs to a list of aggregated college rankings from reputable publications like U.S. News & World Report, among others, to simplify a student’s college search. We pored through these rankings so students don’t have to.
- 78 hours to write this article
- 114 universities and colleges we assessed
- 227 education programs we compared
The Top 50 Online Associate in Computer Programming Programs
intelligent score 99.96
Award
Rankings
#1 Best Colleges
#1 Great Value Colleges
#1 Premium Schools
#1 University HQ
#4 ZDNet
#8 Career Karma
School Information
South Easton, MA
Graduation Rate: 54%
Admission Rate: 28%
Urbanicity: Rural
School Size: Small
Award
Delivery Format
Online, On-Campus
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
62
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
$124
accreditation
Higher Learning Commission
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
605-367-7624
Delivery Format
Online, On-Campus
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
62
intelligent score 97.98
Award
Rankings
#4 Best Colleges
#4 Premium Schools
#6 University HQ
School Information
Fergus Falls, MN
Graduation Rate: 40%
Admission Rate: 100%
Urbanicity: Town
School Size: Medium
Award
Delivery Format
Online, On-Campus
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
$198
accreditation
Higher Learning Commission
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
877-450-3322
Delivery Format
Online, On-Campus
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60
intelligent score 96.84
Award
Rankings
#2 University HQ
#5 Best Colleges
#5 Premium Schools
#5 ZDNet
#10 Career Karma
School Information
Toledo, OH
Graduation Rate: 49%
Admission Rate: 97%
Urbanicity: City
School Size: Medium
Award
Delivery Format
Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
61
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
In-State: $428
Out-of-State: $496
accreditation
Higher Learning Commission
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
800-586-5336
Delivery Format
Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
61
intelligent score 96.15
Award
Rankings
#3 Best Colleges
#3 Premium Schools
#7 Career Karma
#8 Great Value Colleges
#23 University HQ
School Information
St. Petersburg, FL
Graduation Rate: 35%
Admission Rate: 100%
Urbanicity: City
School Size: Large
Award
Delivery Format
Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
63
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
Resident: $122
Non-Resident: $425
accreditation
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
727-341-4620
Delivery Format
Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
63
intelligent score 95.6
Award
Rankings
#2 Best Colleges
#3 Great Value Colleges
#12 Premium Schools
#25 University HQ
School Information
Sierra Vista, AZ
Graduation Rate: 20%
Admission Rate: 100%
Urbanicity: City
School Size: Medium
Award
Delivery Format
Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
61-62
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
$91
accreditation
Higher Learning Commission
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
800-966-7943
Delivery Format
Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
61-62
intelligent score 94.34
Award
Rankings
#2 Premium Schools
#7 Best Colleges
#9 Great Value Colleges
#16 University HQ
School Information
Sanford, FL
Graduation Rate: 43%
Admission Rate: 100%
Urbanicity: City
School Size: Medium
Award
Delivery Format
Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
Resident: $79
Non-Resident: $315
accreditation
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
407-708-2050
Delivery Format
Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60
intelligent score 93.62
Award
Rankings
#1 ZDNet
#6 Premium Schools
#9 Best Colleges
School Information
Raymond, MS
Graduation Rate: 29%
Admission Rate: 100%
Urbanicity: Town
School Size: Medium
Award
Delivery Format
Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60-62
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
Resident: $83 - $116
Non-Resident: $155 - $218
accreditation
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
601-936-5579
Delivery Format
Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60-62
intelligent score 93.58
Award
Rankings
#3 University HQ
School Information
Avon Park, FL
Graduation Rate: 43%
Admission Rate: 100%
Urbanicity: Rural
School Size: Medium
Award
Delivery Format
Online, On-Campus
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
Resident: $79
Non-Resident: $316
accreditation
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
863-784-7405
Delivery Format
Online, On-Campus
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60
intelligent score 93.18
Award
Rankings
#2 Great Value Colleges
#3 Career Karma
#9 Premium Schools
School Information
Cincinnati, OH
Graduation Rate: 21%
Admission Rate: 100%
Urbanicity: City
School Size: Medium
Award
Delivery Format
Online, On-Campus
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
Resident: $183
Non-Resident: $367
accreditation
Higher Learning Commission
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
513-861-7700
Delivery Format
Online, On-Campus
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60
intelligent score 91.03
Award
Rankings
#4 University HQ
School Information
Lake City, FL
Graduation Rate: 45%
Admission Rate: 100%
Urbanicity: Town
School Size: Medium
Award
Delivery Format
Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
$230
accreditation
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
386-752-1822
Delivery Format
Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60
intelligent score 90.39
Award
Rankings
School Information
Willmar, MN
Graduation Rate: 43%
Admission Rate: 100%
Urbanicity: Town
School Size: Medium
Award
Delivery Format
Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
$201
accreditation
Higher Learning Commission
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
320-222-5200
Delivery Format
Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60
intelligent score 85.93
Award
Rankings
School Information
Elko, NV
Graduation Rate: 31%
Admission Rate: 100%
Urbanicity: Town
School Size: Small
Award
Delivery Format
Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
61
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
$292
accreditation
Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
775-327-2059
Delivery Format
Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
61
intelligent score 84.8
Award
Rankings
School Information
Springfield, IL
Graduation Rate: 38%
Admission Rate: 100%
Urbanicity: City
School Size: Medium
Award
Delivery Format
Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60-67
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
In-District: $137
Out-of-District: $274
Out-of-State: $411
accreditation
Higher Learning Commission
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
217-786-2326
Delivery Format
Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60-67
intelligent score 84.36
Award
Rankings
School Information
Griffin, GA
Graduation Rate: 33%
Admission Rate: 100%
Urbanicity: Suburban
School Size: Medium
Award
Delivery Format
Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
66
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
Resident: $100
Non-Resident: $200
accreditation
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
770-228-7348
Delivery Format
Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
66
intelligent score 84.29
Award
Rankings
School Information
Daytona Beach, FL
Graduation Rate: 39%
Admission Rate: 100%
Urbanicity: City
School Size: Medium
Award
Delivery Format
Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
Resident: $79
Non-Resident: $311
accreditation
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
386-506-3642
Delivery Format
Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60
intelligent score 84.06
Award
Rankings
School Information
Winona, MN
Graduation Rate: 40%
Admission Rate: 100%
Urbanicity: Town
School Size: Small
Award
Delivery Format
Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
$213
accreditation
Higher Learning Commission
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
507-453-2700
Delivery Format
Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60
intelligent score 83.84
Award
Rankings
School Information
Maysville, KY
Graduation Rate: 36%
Admission Rate: 100%
Urbanicity: Rural
School Size: Small
Award
Delivery Format
Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
$186
accreditation
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
606-759-7141
Delivery Format
Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60
intelligent score 83.46
Award
Rankings
School Information
Mays Landing, NJ
Graduation Rate: 26%
Admission Rate: 100%
Urbanicity: Rural
School Size: Medium
Award
Delivery Format
Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
Resident: $162
Non-Resident: $262
accreditation
Middle States Commission on Higher Education
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
609-625-1111
Delivery Format
Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60
intelligent score 82.45
Award
Rankings
School Information
Winterville, NC
Graduation Rate: 25%
Admission Rate: 100%
Urbanicity: Suburban
School Size: Medium
Award
Delivery Format
Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
70
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
Resident: $76 Non-Resident: $268
accreditation
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
252-493-7200
Delivery Format
Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
70
intelligent score 81.51
Award
Rankings
School Information
Santa Monica, CA
Graduation Rate: 32%
Admission Rate: 100%
Urbanicity: City
School Size: Large
Award
Delivery Format
Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
Resident: $46
Non-Resident: $362
accreditation
Western Association of Schools and Colleges
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
310-434-4000
Delivery Format
Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60
intelligent score 80.89
Award
Rankings
School Information
Moberly, MO
Graduation Rate: 24%
Admission Rate: 100%
Urbanicity: Town
School Size: Medium
Award
Delivery Format
Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
65
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
Resident: $95 - $179
Non-Resident: $240 - $256
accreditation
Higher Learning Commission
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
660-263-4100
Delivery Format
Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
65
intelligent score 80.78
Award
Rankings
School Information
Harriman, TN
Graduation Rate: 29%
Admission Rate: 100%
Urbanicity: Town
School Size: Medium
Award
Delivery Format
Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
63
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
Resident: $176
Non-Resident: $726
accreditation
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
865-354-3000
Delivery Format
Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
63
intelligent score 78.36
Award
Rankings
School Information
New Orleans, LA
Graduation Rate: 21%
Admission Rate: 100%
Urbanicity: City
School Size: Medium
Award
Delivery Format
Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
$134
accreditation
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
504-671-5000
Delivery Format
Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60
intelligent score 76.4
Award
Rankings
School Information
Mesa, AZ
Graduation Rate: 12%
Admission Rate: 100%
Urbanicity: City
School Size: Medium
Award
Delivery Format
Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
62-71
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
$379
accreditation
Higher Learning Commission
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
480-461-7000
Delivery Format
Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
62-71
intelligent score 74.82
Award
Rankings
School Information
Joliet, IL
Graduation Rate: 20%
Admission Rate: 100%
Urbanicity: Suburban
School Size: Medium
Award
Delivery Format
Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
In-District: $116
Out-of-District: $390
Out-of-State: $425
accreditation
Higher Learning Commission
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
815-729-9020
Delivery Format
Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60
intelligent score 73.99
Award
Rankings
School Information
Killeen, TX
Graduation Rate: 14%
Admission Rate: 100%
Urbanicity: Suburban
School Size: Medium
Award
Delivery Format
Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
In-District: $100
Out-of-District: $124
Out-of-State: $250
accreditation
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
254-526-1164
Delivery Format
Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60
intelligent score 73.76
Award
Rankings
School Information
Clarkston, GA
Graduation Rate: 34%
Admission Rate: 100%
Urbanicity: Suburban
School Size: Medium
Award
Delivery Format
Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
65
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
Resident: $100
Non-Resident: $200 - $400
accreditation
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
404-297-9522
Delivery Format
Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
65
intelligent score 73.46
Award
Rankings
School Information
North Canton, OH
Graduation Rate: 15%
Admission Rate: 100%
Urbanicity: Suburban
School Size: Medium
Award
Delivery Format
Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
64
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
$194
accreditation
Higher Learning Commission
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
330-494-6170
Delivery Format
Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
64
intelligent score 72.02
Award
Rankings
School Information
Pittsburgh, PA
Graduation Rate: 21%
Admission Rate: 100%
Urbanicity: City
School Size: Medium
Award
Delivery Format
Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60-63
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
Resident: $126
Residents of Other Pennsylvania Counties: $252
Out-of-State & International Residents: $378
accreditation
Middle States Commission on Higher Education
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
412-237-2222
Delivery Format
Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60-63
intelligent score 70.35
Award
Rankings
School Information
Manchester, NH
Graduation Rate: 36%
Admission Rate: 92%
Urbanicity: Suburban
School Size: Large
Award
Delivery Format
Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
$330
accreditation
New England Commission of Higher Education
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
603-645-9611
Delivery Format
Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60
Discover More Options
What You Should Know About This Degree
An online associate in computer programming degree is one option for students seeking entry-level opportunities in the tech industry. There are also bachelor’s in computer programming degree programs, along with master’s degree programs. Students may also want to consider similar degrees, such as an associate in web development or information technology (IT).
Only apply to schools approved by a DOE-recognized accrediting organization, such as the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE) or Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU). If your school isn’t accredited, you may be unable to access financial aid or transfer credits to another institution if needed.
There aren’t any specific certifications or licensing required to become a computer programmer. Most programmers possess a bachelor’s or associate degree. There may be optional certifications in various coding languages that programmers can earn to improve their career opportunities.
What’s Next?
Here are some questions to ask when researching online associate in computer programming programs:
- How long does it take to complete this online degree? Most associate in computer programming programs require 60 credits, but some require as many as 90 credits. The duration of the program varies, as some schools have part-time, traditional, and accelerated programs to meet student needs.
- Are courses offered synchronously or asynchronously? It’s important to find out whether classes are offered synchronously or asynchronously when choosing an online program. Synchronous classes require remote students to attend at a specific time while asynchronous classes allow students to download and complete coursework at any time. Some degree programs give students a choice between these formats.
Be sure to keep track of admission requirements, deadlines, tuition information, and other key program details. You can find out more about each program by contacting the school’s admissions department or visiting the school website.